[96.01] The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)

C. Martin (CalTech), GALEX Science Team

We give an overview of the status, early data, and results
from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), a NASA Explorer
Mission launched on April 28, with a nominal mission start
of July 1. GALEX is performing the first space UV
sky-survey, including imaging and grism surveys in two bands
(1350-1800Åand 1800-2800Å). The surveys include an
all-sky imaging survey (limit AB~20-21), a medium imaging
survey of 1000 sq. deg (limit AB~23.5), a deep imaging
survey of 100 square degrees (limit AB~25.5), and a nearby
galaxy survey. Spectroscopic grism surveys (R=100-250) are
underway with various depths and sky coverage. Many targets
overlap existing or planned surveys, including SDSS, 2dF,
DEEP, NOAO-DWS, LBG, VIRMOS, GOODS, SWIRE, SINGS, SIRTF-GTO,
Chandra, and HST/ACS. We will use the measured UV properties
of local galaxies, along with corollary observations, to
calibrate the UV-global star formation rate relationship in
local galaxies. We will apply this calibration to distant
galaxies discovered in the deep imaging and spectroscopic
surveys to map the history of star formation in the universe
over the redshift range z=0-2, and probe the starburst
history of galaxies. The GALEX mission will include a Guest
Investigator program for dedicated observations and archival
data analysis. This will support a wide variety of
investigations made possible by the first UV sky survey. An
early data release to support planning for GI proposals
precedes this conference.

GALEX (Galaxy Evolution Explorer) is a NASA Small Explorer,
launched in April 2003. We gratefully acknowledge NASA's
support for construction, operation, and science analysis
for the GALEX mission.

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